Aromatherapy Essential Oils - Eucalyptus Essential Oil

The science of Aromatherapy was probably first used by the Ancient Chinese, who burned incense to calm the mind and heal the body, while balancing the energies flowing through the human system. Although no one can be sure how it spread, it is a fact that this practice quickly gained popularity in most of the world's major historic cultures, from the Egyptians to the Greeks, Ancient India and South America. The beneficial qualities of olfactory stimulants are now established popular fact, if not yet scientifically explicable. Aromatherapy as a branch of healing, is probably the most non-intrusive method, and works solely by the absorption of beneficial compounds through the respiratory system. The stunning effects of olfactory stimulation can be felt in the distinctive smell of, say, a perfume or an odd and apparently random odor that brings back powerful memories. It is often one of the two first methods by which an infant identifies its mother or care-giver; the other is tactile. Religious ceremony and rituals around the world are replete with the use of olfactory association to bring about a desirable state of mind â€“ candles in church, incense during worship and burnt offerings to deities are all examples of this. With such deep integration into the human psyche, it is no wonder that smell has been used to gain access to the most inaccessible depths of the body and the mind.

A History Of Eucalyptus Oil

The use of eucalyptus oil in the west can be traced to the arrival, in 1788, of Surgeon-General John White in Australia. White was quickly made aware of the potential for its usage and sent back a sample to England, from where it was sent around the world to locations such as Central Asia, North Africa and Western United States. Ever since then, the use of eucalyptus oil has grown commercially by leaps and bounds. Today, there are dozens of companies that extract, market, and distribute oils of high quality at affordable prices. The phenomenon, which has caught on like wild fire in the 20th century, has created many a millionaire. Naturally, all this popularity brings with it some very critical scrutiny, and there are several well documented scientific studies on the beneficial qualities of eucalyptus oil as an aroma-therapeutic compound.

Eucalyptus Oil Aromatherapy: A Whiff Of Something Good

Eucalyptus oil has a sharp, camphoraceous odor that has a pungent sting to it. Just a whiff of this oil can set off a chain reaction that begins to cure or relieve several physical and mental conditions. The immediate effect is a calming of the mind; the oil produces a gentle soothing effect not unlike that of a fond memory. Reminiscing is an effective form of therapy that can be facilitated by eucalyptus oil. It is also known to relieve muscle cramps. The famous aromatherapist Dr. Kurt Schnaubelt highly recommends it for treating viral infections because of the connections between the respiratory system and the immune system. The fragrance of the oil has an overall cleansing property, and is used to reduce the symptoms of stress, grief, anxiety and depression. Although extremely beneficial to adults, the strong smell is not recommended for infants. However, other forms of this extract, such as those present in Vicks VapoRub, can be effective when there's a cold or cough. The dilatory effect of eucalyptus can even relieve the symptoms of asthma, hay fever and dust-related allergies.

Eucalyptus Forever: Guaranteed Longevity

All these and many more therapeutic properties make eucalyptus oil a very effective aromatic compound, used by more aromatherapists than any other essential oil, bar one or two. It may also be interesting to note that it shares lineage with another extremely beneficial plant, the Tea Tree. Both have tremendous medicinal properties that make their use widespread. With holistic forms of healing, such as aromatherapy entering mainstream medicine, the eucalyptus tree has no fear of extinction â€“ natural or otherwise.